Action mutante

Do not be fooled into thinking that Accion Mutante is merely a darkly humorous schlock space-horror-action movie. It aggressively and successfully attacks 'decent' society, the media and the action movie genre itself in equal measures and still manages to be genuinely funny, shocking and surprising. Paul Verhoeven has been trying to make a film like this for years, but in my opinion has never got close.

Mutante is pure Science Fiction (and I mean SF *not* Sci-Fi) - deadly anti-bourgeois social commentary wrapped in a delicious coating of blood, sugar and intergalactic terrorism.

Nice one!

Alex de Iglesia's first movie "Acción Mutante" is mostly a very enjoyable ride, but could use a bit more focus on the titular theme. You expect two hours of funny cripple terrorist attacks, but you get Homages to 3-4 different genre movies de Iglesia is apparently very fond of. The first quarter of the movie is actually concerned with the "Mutants" (actually just handicapped people) shooting the so-called beautiful upper class, but is then switching gears and becomes a mix of movies like Alien, Hills have Eyes and even Mad Max at the end. It would have been more interesting to see the terrorist group doing more attacks in the futuristic city, but I guess this was prohibitive because of the very low budget of the movie (1,5 Million $ approx.). Still, I applaud the movie for its visual inventiveness and not shying away from really nasty scenes. The director unfortunately wants to do too many things at once, and cover as many of his cinematic fanboy interests as possible.

The actors are mostly excellent, which is unsusual for such low-budget movies. Antonio Resines as the "Leader" Ramon Yarritu stands out, he manages to make a despicable character almost heroic in a sense. Which is weird, as he does so many awful deeds throughout the movie. But you kind of get his point after a while, it makes sense (even if its morally wrong).

All in all, an interesting debut, albeit very unfocused and with a lot of sloppy storytelling. But it shows clearly, that Alex de La Iglesia is a talented director nonetheless. Recommended, if you are willing to look past the usual first-time director imperfections.

One of the best and most under-rated films I've seen in years! A black comedy in the truest sense. The scenario is outrageous, but never jabs you with that "get the joke?" elbow. The performances are true to character and slyly developed. I've never encountered any of these actors before, but they are all terrific and I'd watch almost anything they've subsequently made.

You may have to hunt for a crisp English subtitled print; beware the Substance 2002 DVD release that claims to be remastered, but is quite muddy, and I highly doubt it's a "remaster" as I've seen better non-subbed prints.

PS - the wedding cake scene is worth the price of admission alone.

While other reviewers suggest this started out well but later lost focus, to me it went vice versa. Starts out OK, trying to balance between hilarity and supposed social commentary and of course action and blood-sheding. It manages quite well (hey this is low budget!) but I don't think the director meant for serious satire or comment on high society and life style etc. others suggested. Anyway, at the final third part, when the spaceship reaches the planet, the film gets to its high point! I had a great time watching this film, it's funny (in a twisted way), there's blood and sickness. It's high time of entertainment. It reminded me of BRAINDEAD & BAD TASTE of Peter Jackson, as well as BODY MELT of Philip Brophy and maybe a bit Mad Max (by the way ALL Australian films). Just don't expect TOO MUCH. Fans of mainstream sci-fi cinema: STAY AWAY!

I'm a real admirer of Alex de la Iglesia's superb supernatural comedy thriller 'The Day Of The Beast', so I was really looking forward to watching 'Accion Mutante', his previous movie. It started off superbly as a exciting, violent and witty black comedy about a gang of (mostly deformed) mutant terrorists intent on destroying "the beautiful people" and their mediocre, hypocritical society. They kidnap the daughter of a bourgeois business and hold her for ransom.

Fantastic! All was going great, the balance between satire, action and silliness was handled imaginatively, but half way through the movie changes direction, and becomes increasingly less interesting. The planet where Mutant Action land to make their exchange is populated by a family of grotesques similar to one's in Philip Brophy's equally bizarre 'Body Melt', or like some of the stranger characters seen in the comics of Garth Ennis. Unfortunately for me the movie loses focus at this point, all the earlier potential for surreal social criticism is abandoned, and it becomes a standard b-grade sci fi action flick with only a few good bits.

It's a shame to me that the movie didn't continue in the approach of its first half, because I think if it did it would be a classic piece of science fiction. As it is, with all its flaws, it's still better than 90% of American SF movies made in the last 15 years, and recommended viewing. Please track down 'The Day Of The Beast' though, it's sensational!